A Scam

My uncle Jim once told me a story about his brother-in-law, Gene Meredith. The story took place sometime in 60s around Redding, California. 

Gene owned a two door sedan that was not in the best condition but it was still drivable. One day he took it to a service station to have the oil changed. 

Changing the oil involves putting the car up on the lift, unscrewing the oil pan drain plug and allowing the oral to run into a container. I need to interject here that Gene Meredith was not a scrupulous person. He was somewhat an outlaw and some people considered him an in savory character. While the mechanic was changing the oil, Gene removed a second drain plug he had in his pocket and set it on a shelf in the shop. The work was completed and Gene drove off in his car. A little ways from the gas station he stopped the car, got out, crawled under the vehicle and removed the drain plug after which, he drove away. Some miles later, the engine seized up and gave up the ghost. Gene got a ride back to the service station and told the owner his car was no longer working. So, the owner of the gas station took him back to the vehicle towed it to the shop to diagnose the problem. It was quickly surmised the engine had blown up. The owner was puzzled because the mechanic who had done the job insisted he had put plug back in and had never made such a mistake before. 

About that time, Gene looked across the shop and saw the oil plug he had secretly put on the shelf when no one was looking. He pointed to it and said that must be his drain plug that they obviously forgot to replace. The shop owner and the mechanic were surprised that they had forgotten to properly finish the job and so, at their expense, they rebuilt the engine and a few days later Gene smugly returned to pick up his car with a rebuilt engine in it that he had not paid a penny to repair. The thug life, circa 1960.